Friday, January 13, 2006

Burning Questions

Why do I have such a phobia of grafting? The first Sock Landscape Jaywalker is done, except for the Kitchener stitch at the toe seam. I am getting panicky just thinking about it. The last toe seam I grafted, I followed the very good directions I got from Christineexactly, and ended up with a row of purl bumps. How do I do these things? Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

As Sarah, one of S's tutors and a newbie knitter, asked me: why does some yarn come in a skein that can't be knit from? I'd like to think that there is some fiber-specific reason, but I think it's probably more outsourcing to the customer.

Why do I love knit 3, purl 1 rib so much? I just started some legwarmers for Cover Your Ankles, and decided to use this, my favorite rib stitch. For some reason, I find it really soothing. Maybe it's just repetitive enough to be easy, with just enough changes to be non-boring.

So, my final question for today is, Do you have a favorite stitch pattern, and why?I love these interactive posts.

23 Comments:

Oohh, that Cape Codder sock yarn sure was pretty (sorry, I suppose I'm not helping). Do not fear grafting - just stay focused and won't be too hard. (Wasn't Christine's tutorial great??) Certainly not as tough as picking up gusset stitches. I HATE THAT PART - I just did so on my second Sockling and did a horrible, sad, shoddy job, but just can't rib and re-do anymore. I don't think I've found my favorite stitch yet . . . hmmm, I'll have to give that some thought and get back to you!!

My socks all end up with k2p2 ribbing on the cuff, it's relaxing. Have to confess a gut-level loathing for seed stitch though, it's probably one reason Hubby's eternal sweater is entering its eleventh year as a UFO...

1. You were feeling frugal.2. You were feeling risk averse.3. That's the way (uh-huh, uh-huh) Cascade likes it.4. You subconsciously knew that I was looking for an example of K3P1 ribbing and wanted to make a whole FO for me to gaze upon? 5. I really love the Spiral Rib pattern in the Last-Minute Knitted Gifts Women's Handwarmers. Interesting to knit AND to look at, especially if the yarn has some depth.

Hey Laura - yeah, that Cape Codder was beautiful! but think of all of the other sock yarns in the sea! You will find another that sings to you ;)

I like many stitch patterns - ribbing and stockinette are my faves. I am a simple girl. Of course, some texture is nice too - like cables... but not too intricate, then it is just too crazy for my eyes.

Do I have to pick just one stitch pattern? Hmm... I'm with mintyfresh - I love seed stitch. I'm always trying to work it into everything. I'm a big fan of cables and lace, too. I especially like the little mock cables where you knit into the front or back of the 2nd stitch and then knit the 1st stitch - no cable needles! Yay!

I adore the way seed stitch looks & feels, but I don't always love doing it. Not unless I have enough of it to "get in the groove".

And definitely get a quiet, kids-free room to Kitchener in. I had to scrupulously follow directions the first 3 or 4 times I did it, but now I can do it from memory. *It's all cmeknit's talk of grafting ribbing that puts me in a cold sweat!

I agree with Jen...just keep the book open on your lap, and take your time with the Kitchener. I always have to...I think I use my SnB book, and it's never failed me. I don't really have a fave stitch--I like em all--but I can see how the K3 P1 would soothe. It almost reminds me of rowing, like the slow pulling of the oars, and then the lifting (I've never rowed a day in my life, but this is how I imagine it to be!).

Oooh, that Cape Codder yarn was a beaut. But Lolly's right...lots of fish in the sock sea. ;-) And I know you're going to sail through the Kitchener this time. Don't pay any mind to those people who give you strange looks while you cover your ears with your knees and chant "knit, knit, purl, purl" progressively louder while holding the SnB book open with your feet, okay? Oh whoops, that would be me, not you! Just pay them no mind, you hear? ;-) I love K3, P1, too, but I love stockinette in the round even more. I am la-zy! Take care and have a great weekend, Laura! :-)

OH! I love cables at the moment! But I like almost any stitch, really. I enjoy seed stitch and the effect, and I'm willing to try out as many stitches as I can.

About the kitchener stitch I can only say I find it easy(!) after a few socks grafted. I got my mother into knitting again (she was jealous of my knitting, can you believe?) and I've grafted all her socks so far, about 8 pairs, I think. So, I'd even volunteer to help you graft your socks :)

There is always another yarn, there's always another yarn, repeat after me . . .As much as I may not appreciate outsourcing to the consumer, there's something so "authentic" about yarn that comes in hanks, something aesthetically pleasing and tacticle and something (not too articulate before I've had my coffee, am I?). I tend to look at a yarn as more valuable if it's in hanks rather than skeins or balls. An interesting line of thought . . .

I'm on a pattern knit frenzy at the moment. I love garter slip stitch. It looks a little like moss stitch from a distance but when you alternate yarn colours it creates amazing "stripes". I've posted a pic of the pattern on my blog from a WIP sweater for my daughter.

Have to say that I don't really have a favorite stitch, but Garter is right up there. Well, only if it's knit flat. Why? Well, it makes for a nice fluffy fabric and it lies flat, and well, it's just so darned easy.

Take a deep breath on the kitchener. Once I got the hang of it, I found it to be quite soothing. Just remember to keep the right sides facing you if you're laying your work flat. If not is probably the case since you're doing a standard toe, make sure the wrong sides are together and the right sides are on the outside.

Hey, getting purl bumps when you graft isn't so bad. You probably were slipping the front stitch off the needle after pulling the tapestry needle through the stitch purlwise instead of knitwise, and vice versa on the back stitch. If you do this intentionally, you can graft in pattern. This probably isn't clear, but when you do get the hang of grafting, try to reverse the knit purl, purl knit and you'll see what I mean.

Grafting is really easy once you get the hang of it. Did you graft the sock looking at both right sides? Not sure why you got purl bumps. When I first tried grafting and many times after that, I had to recite what I was doing aloud...or I would screw up.